Remarks of Deputy Assistant Secretary Simpson at the NTCA 2016 Legislative and Policy Conference

As you know from your own experiences, today broadband is a basic infrastructure – as vital as roads, sewer systems, and electrical lines. At the community level, broadband is critical for driving growth, attracting new businesses, creating jobs, and remaining competitive in the digital economy. And for individuals, access to broadband – and the know-how to use it – opens the door to employment opportunities, educational resources, healthcare services, government benefits, and social networks. These days, it can be practically impossible to apply for a job or even complete a seventh-grade homework assignment without broadband. So closing the gaps that still exist is a basic equity issue. From first-hand experience, you all also know the many challenges involved in delivering broadband to the far reaches of our country.

I’m here today to talk to you about what the National Telecommunications & Information Administration is doing to help. And I’m offering NTIA as a partner and resource to you and the communities you serve. The cornerstone of our effort is our BroadbandUSA program. We launched this program in 2015 to build on the lessons learned, best practices, and collective wisdom from across our broadband grant portfolio.